Cubs Rumors: Are the St. Louis Cardinals in on Paul Goldschmidt?

Cubs Rumors: So who would be division favorites?

Still, do the Cardinals jump the Cubs or the Brewers in the NL Central pecking order if they get Goldschmidt and Greinke? Maybe with a true ace at the helm of their rotation, they’d edge out the Brewers.

But on paper, the Cubs’ lineup has more proven hitters and better defenders than the Cardinals, if they’re all performing up to their potential. And Chicago’s rotation still stands out as the best in the division, barring major setbacks like those that cropped up last year.

The Cubs seem to have a solid hold as the division favorites, though a deal like this one would certainly make it a much closer three-team race. It should be noted, though, that Goldschmidt has just one year left on his contract – so even if St. Louis grabbed the Central, it may not last long.

While it’s unlikely such a massive deal would ever get done, if the Cardinals picked up Greinke and Goldschmidt, it’d be sure to give Cubs fans concerns. Both are proven, impact players who could boost the Cardinals into a sure playoff team. Still, the Cubs remain the favorite in the NL Central—though the gap continues to narrow.